Nesting containers and lids

ABSTRACT

A container and a lid combination includes a container having a bottom surface, an opening, and a top edge surrounding the opening, and a first attachment mechanism provided on the bottom surface, and a lid engageable with the top edge of the container to cover the opening. The lid includes an inside surface that faces an interior of the container when the lid is engaged with the top edge of the container, an outside surface that faces away from the interior of the container when the lid is engaged with the top edge of the container, and a second attachment mechanism provided on the inside surface and engageable with the first attachment mechanism. The lid is attachable to the bottom surface of the container via engagement of the first and second attachment mechanisms. A plurality of such container and lid combinations may be provided in a set, each having a different size and thereby being nestable together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] This invention relates to containers with lids.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Various types of lidded containers are known. Lidded containers are often sold in sets, and often each container of a set is of a different size such that the containers “nest” together, i.e., the smallest container fits inside the next-largest container, which in turn fits inside the next-largest container, and so on.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In such sets of containers, various problems are associated with management and storage of the lids. For example, the lids typically are stored separately from the containers, and often become lost. Additionally, when a particular lid is desired, the user must sort through the supply of lids to find the appropriate lid, which is troublesome.

[0006] This invention addresses these problems, and provides other advantages, by providing a container structure in which, when the container is not in use, the lid attaches to a bottom of the container. In embodiments, the outside surface of the bottom of the container includes an attachment mechanism that attaches to a complementary attachment mechanism provided on an inside surface of the lid.

[0007] These and other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention are described in or apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, wherein like numerals represent like parts, and wherein:

[0009]FIG. 1 is an oblique view of an exemplary container and lid according to the invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a cross section of the container of FIG. 1 with the lid attached to the bottom surface thereof; and

[0011]FIG. 3 is an oblique view of a plurality of nested containers and lids according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] This invention provides container lids that attach to an outside surface of a container bottom.

[0013]FIG. 1 shows a container 100 and a corresponding lid 200. The container 100 is shown having a round shape in plan view, but any other desired shape, such as rectangular, square, triangular, pentagonal, etc. is also acceptable. The container 100 will typically be formed of plastic material.

[0014] The container 100 may include a ridge 120 provided around the outer periphery near a top edge of the container 100. The ridge 120 reinforces the upper edge of the container 100 for greater strength and rigidity. The ridge 120 also facilitates closing of the lid 200 onto the top edge of the container 100 by providing a structure for a user's fingers to anchor against while pressing the lid 200 into sealing connection with the top edge of the container 100.

[0015] The lid 200 is sized and shaped such that its inner periphery engages the outer periphery of the top edge of the container 100 to effect a sealing relationship between the container 100 and the lid 200. The inside surface of the lid 200 includes an attachment mechanism, described in more detail below, that engages a corresponding attachment mechanism provided on a bottom surface of the container 100, also described in more detail below.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a cross section of the container 100 with the lid 200 attached to the bottom surface. As shown in FIG. 2, the attachment mechanism provided on the bottom surface of the container 100 includes a plurality of arcuate attachment projections 110 that approximately define a circle. Corresponding attachment projections 210 are provided on an inside surface of the lid 200 and frictionally engage the attachment projections 110 provided on the bottom surface of the container 100.

[0017] In FIG. 2, it can be seen that inward-facing sides of the attachment projections 210 of the lid 200 engage outward-facing sides of the attachment projections 110 of the base of the container 100. It should be appreciated that it is also acceptable for outward-facing sides of the attachment projections 210 of the lid 200 to engage inward-facing sides of the attachment projections 110 of the base of the container 100.

[0018] It should also be appreciated that, while the attachment projections 110 and 210 have been described above as having an arcuate shape and approximately defining circles, many other shapes and configurations are possible. For example, the attachment projections 110 and 210 may have a linear shape, with the attachment projections 110 on the bottom of the container 100 approximately defining a square, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon or the like, and the attachment projections 210 on the lid 200 approximately defining corresponding squares, triangles, pentagons, hexagons, octagons or the like.

[0019] Additionally, although the attachment mechanisms described above have each included a plurality of attachment projections 110 or 210, it should be appreciated that each attachment mechanism alternatively may have only a single attachment projection, e.g., a continuous annular projection or the like. However, it is usually preferable for at least the attachment mechanism of the bottom surface of the container 100 to include more than one attachment projection, for the following reasons.

[0020] First, if a single attachment projection is provided in the form of a continuous circle or the like, a “pool” will be formed by the attachment projection when the container 100 is, for example, placed upside down in a dishwasher. Water will collect in this “pool” during washing, which is annoying to a user who subsequently removes the container 100 from the dishwasher. In contrast, when a plurality of attachment projections are formed, as illustrated, a notch is formed between adjacent ones of the attachment projections 110 or 210. The notches allow water to escape, thus preventing ponding during washing.

[0021] Second, having a plurality of attachment projections 110 and/or 210 allows the projections to deflect more resiliently and thus more easily engage opposing attachment projections 110 or 210.

[0022]FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a plurality of containers 100 nested together. Each container 100 has a corresponding lid 200 attached to its base by engagement of the attachment projections 110 with the attachment projections 210.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the heights of the containers 100 are preferably selected such that, when the containers 100 are nested as shown, none of the top edges of the inner containers 100 protrude above the plane of the top edge of outer container 100. This allows the lid 200 to be placed on the top of the outer container 100 with all of the other containers 100 stored inside.

[0024] While the invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments described above, many equivalent alternatives, modifications and variations may become apparent to those skilled in the art once given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention as set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container and a lid combination, comprising: a container including: a bottom surface, an opening, a top edge surrounding the opening, and a first attachment mechanism provided on the bottom surface; and a lid engageable with the top edge of the container to cover the opening, the lid including: an inside surface that faces an interior of the container when the lid is engaged with the top edge of the container, and a second attachment mechanism provided on the inside surface and engageable with the first attachment mechanism, the lid being attachable to the bottom surface of the container via engagement of the first and second attachment mechanisms.
 2. The container and lid combination according to claim 1, wherein the first attachment mechanism comprises at least one first attachment projection protruding from the bottom surface of the container.
 3. The container and lid combination according to claim 1, wherein the first attachment mechanism comprises a plurality of first attachment projections protruding from the bottom surface of the container.
 4. The container and lid combination according to claim 1, wherein the second attachment mechanism comprises at least one second attachment projection protruding from the inside surface of the lid.
 5. The container and lid combination according to claim 1, wherein the second attachment mechanism comprises a plurality of second attachment projections protruding from the inside surface of the lid.
 6. A nesting container and lid set comprising: a plurality of container and lid combinations according to claim 1, the container and lid sets being of different sizes and thereby nestable together.
 7. The nesting container and lid set according to claim 6, wherein, in the nested state of the containers and lids, each lid is attached to the bottom surface of the corresponding container, with a lid corresponding to a largest one of the containers optionally being engaged with the top edge of the largest one of the containers. 